Letters to the editor

Friday

Oct 31, 2008 at 2:00 AM

Dear Ms Russell,You don't know how thrilled I was to read in your letter to the editor of Tuesday, Oct. 21 that the bill, SB 327-FN, designed to protect state employees from being prematurely terminated after a devastating injury was signed into law effective Jan. 1, 2009 (now RSA 21-I:43-a). It came too late for me but I'm happy to know that others won't be subjected to the same disappointment and uncertainty that I was.

To the Editor:

Dear Ms Russell,

You don't know how thrilled I was to read in your letter to the editor of Tuesday, Oct. 21 that the bill, SB 327-FN, designed to protect state employees from being prematurely terminated after a devastating injury was signed into law effective Jan. 1, 2009 (now RSA 21-I:43-a). It came too late for me but I'm happy to know that others won't be subjected to the same disappointment and uncertainty that I was.

What I do find odd is that this bill titled (unbeknownst to me) Tim Copeland's Law was signed into law back in July of this year and I didn't find out about it until your letter to the editor in response to my endorsement of Lee Quandt. One would think that if a bill or law was created in support of and named after a particular person, that person, if still living and I'm very much alive, would be kept up to date on the progress of the action taken on their behalf so to speak. One might actually be forgiven for thinking that they might have been invited to the signing of the bill (named after them) into law. Photographed shaking hands with the governor.

Until your letter to the editor I had not heard anything since the early spring when Ms. Hassan had notified me that she might have to concede some of the points in the bill. I honestly thought the bill had died on the House floor. Could it be that I was never notified about the bill much less invited to the signing into law because it was well known that I was a supporter of Lee Quandt? Not very bi-partisan-like conduct I say.

I would like to say "thank you" now though to all who supported and co-sponsored this bill, no matter their political party affiliation. This law will assure any state employees, especially state law enforcement officers, that if they are severely injured in the line of duty and they have filed for a medical retirement, they cannot be prematurely terminated to save money or fill their spot.

Timothy Copeland

Stratham

To the Editor:

Lest people think that only one political party has their signs stolen, I, a Democrat, also have had political signs stolen. This year, Barack Obama for president signs were stolen from my yard and the yard of my friends and acquaintances. In 2004, a presidential campaign sign was also stolen from my yard. I called the police and was told there wasn't much they could do about it so I did not bother to file a grievance. Perhaps I should have just for the record.

Both times I felt outraged and considered the actions "undemocratic," "a denial of freedom of speech," and a theft on my private property, just as Linda Chase, who, I assume is a Republican, had felt and expressed so well in her statements in the Exeter News-Letter of Oct. 24, when the same thing happened to her on Oct. 22.

So what can we conclude from this shared experience? I think the rational thing is to step back from our emotional reactions, from the temptation to point fingers at the other political party and say "they" are the evil doers. The truth is there are people affiliated with both parties who behave in ignorant, uncivil, undemocratic ways. It is this behavior we all, Republicans and Democrats, should condemn loudly and work tirelessly to root out from our shared best hope, a civil application of the democratic process. May we all have a smooth and goon free Election Day on Tuesday.

Sheila Groonell

Exeter

To the Editor:

Jeb Bradley, who is running against Rep. Carol Shea-Porter for District 1 representative in Congress, has many supporters who are making ridiculous claims of his record when he was our representative.

In letters to the editor in our local newspapers regarding the closing of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, they claim Bradley was "instrumental" in saving the PNS, "his hard work and endeavor" saved the PNS, and even made the outrageous claim "He saved the PNS." None of these claims acknowledged the other people and organizations involved in that crusade. Mainly, it was the strong leadership of Capt. Jonathan Iverson, the then commander of the PNS, with the wise support of Capt. William D. McDonough (Navy, retired) the previous PNS commander, and the valiant, all-out effort by the shipyard workers and their union leaders, who were the driving forces that saved the shipyard. It was their combined skills and dedication and teamwork that resulted in projects being completed ahead of schedule and on time, and within budget and below budget. Their continued outstanding performance throughout the years led to the chairman of the BRAC Commission to label the shipyard the "gold standard" to which all shipyards should be measured!

Yes, the final decision to keep the PNS open by the BRAC Commission was also affected by the testimony and support of Reps. Jeb Bradley and Charles Bass, Sens. Gregg and Sununu, Maine Sens. Collins and Snowe, and Reps. Allen and Michaud, as well as many other state and local leaders. And, the huge support of the citizens of New Hampshire and Maine. Therefore, Jeb Bradley alone did not save the shipyard!

Bradley supporters also claim he is a big supporter of veterans. He claimed many times during his tenure that veterans benefits and the Veterans Administration budgets were increased. On paper that was true, but after the money was appropriated, the money was secretly shifted to the Iraq war or to the Pentagon budget, all of which was reported in the newspapers and TV news reports. But Bradley never informed us of this money shift, except that in his campaign literature when he ran against Shea-Porter, he indirectly acknowledged the money shift by stating there had been a "shortfall" in the VA budget and that the millions of dollars in the "shortfall" had been voted back into the VA budget! But Shea-Porter has been shown by action, not words, that she is a friend and supporter of veterans' issues. She voted for and the House passed: the Veterans Cost of Living Act (H.R. 1284) which increases the cost of living allowance for disabled veterans; the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act (H.R. 1538) which establishes an improved system for helping veterans get medical care they need; and, the Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement Act (H.R. 2199) which provided rehabilitation to those who have suffered head injuries from roadside bombs. Her new crusade is to get a full-service VA hospital because New Hampshire is the only state without one.

Also, she wants to have local hospitals provide medical care for veterans so they don't have to travel long distances with their family to obtain medical services. When it comes to veterans and their needs, Shea-Porter is all action and results. I am sure she will get that full-service VA hospital!

Mannie Schweisberg

Exeter

To the Editor:

There are many reasons to support state Sen. Maggie Hassan, who has been an extremely hard-working and effective state senator.

One of the most compelling reasons is that her opponent Lee Quandt, supports predatory payday lenders. These companies target people who are strapped for money and they offer them cash to hold them over until payday. The problem is that these loans often end up costing far more than advertised, and they are actually designed to keep borrowers on the hook as long as possible. Because of hidden fees, most lenders end up paying back twice the amount of the original loan. The companies make over 90 percent of their revenues from these hidden fees, which generate over $4.2 billion of revenue for these companies nationwide. This may be business as usual in Las Vegas, but it violates New Hampshire's sense of fair play.

When the state of New Hampshire tried to regulate these predatory lenders earlier this year (HB 267), Lee Quandt voted against the bill. This will hurt New Hampshire families. It turns out that Quandt has received campaign contributions from one of the largest of the predatory lending companies in the country — Select Management Resources, LLC. Is there a connection? Hard to say, but it doesn't look good.

Lee Quandt has made a number of other votes that most New Hampshire families would find extremely troubling — voting against reducing Mercury emissions, voting against raising the high school drop-out age, voting against establishing a state ethics officer, etc. These votes are very hard to defend.

Maggie Hassan voted in favor of the common-sense bill to crack down on predatory lending, and she is working hard to do the right thing for the people of New Hampshire. She is smart, steady, and principled. Please join me in supporting her re-election to the New Hampshire State Senate.

Harry Gural

Exeter

To the Editor:

On my commute home last Friday, I stopped at Stratham-Newfields Veterinary Hospital to pick up some medicine for my 14-year-old dog. While pulling in to the parking lot, I noticed a "Maggie Hassan for state Senate" sign. My jaw dropped, and I wondered why I am taking one of my oldest friends to a practice that is supporting a candidate who is owned and operated by the Seabrook Greyhound Track. In this election alone, Maggie Hassan has accepted $1,800 from the track.

On the other hand, her opponent, Marshall "Lee" Quandt coordinated legislation to protect greyhounds from abuse (2004-HB520). Lee Quandt has been fighting against the special interests of both parties since he joined the New Hampshire House four terms ago. Maggie Hassan is now seeking her third term as a New Hampshire senator. Enough is enough! She is in the pocket of every special interest around! This is all public information, but no one takes the time to look. Maggie receives funding from the pharmaceutical, energy, and health insurance companies. Also from Wal-Mart, trial lawyers, Realtors, and high volume investment banks. The list goes on. Clearly, hers is the voice of special interests, not the voice of the individual.

I asked an employee of SNVH why the sign was up. Her response was that the owner told the Democrat's they can put up whatever signs they want. Are all people this blind? This election is about the candidates, not the party. At the state level the parties have far less influence over the individual than they do at the federal level.

I vote independently — I do not blindly follow a party like the owner of SNVH. In this very important election, I support Lee Quandt of Exeter for NH Senate District 24.

Justin Chouinard

Exeter

To the Editor:

Last month voters of Rockingham County nominated me as a candidate for county commissioner and I am honored to accept the nod. I have been a public servant all of my life and have extensive state and local government experience. After I earned my bachelor's degree in political science I served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war and then earned a law degree with my veterans' benefits. I have been employed as an attorney for the state of New Hampshire and have also served three terms as a city councilor working on budgets and public policy.

My opponent has been the incumbent for 10 years but has not exercised adequate oversight over certain county departments including the finance department which was embroiled in a criminal embezzlement trial in the fall of 2007 and which explains why the 2007 financial reports do not yet appear on the county's Web site. I worked at Rockingham County for a year while earning an advanced degree in public administration at UNH. I saw my opponent in action and that's why I made my decision to run for commissioner. The voters deserve qualified and competent government officials who look out for their best interests and I believe that my long government experience and the credentials that go with it are just what the Board of Commissioners needs at this time.

I ask for your vote on Nov. 4. Thank you.

Norm Patenaude

Portsmouth

To the Editor:

It happens every time. When a candidate's campaign fails to get much support they attack their opponent's supporters. Maggie Hassan's opponent has spent nearly five months trying to gain local support and raise money from any source possible. Whether his campaign is sinking because of his lack of good ideas or a reaction to his negative campaigning it has resulted in a failing campaign.

Sen. Hassan's opponent is obviously frustrated but attacking her success in gaining contributors for the terrific job she is doing smells of desperation.

Maggie Ball

Kensington

To the Editor:

As an active member of the Exeter community I would like to share my perspective on the contribution Sen. Maggie Hassan has made to improve the lives of young children and their families ...; and underscore choices made by Rep. Quandt that indicate to me he has turned his back on children and families.

The New Hampshire Child Advocacy Network (NH CAN) is a network of well over 200 organizations statewide working to improve the health and wellbeing of New Hampshire's children. NH CAN was founded by the Children's Alliance of New Hampshire in 1999 as a response to concerns from policymakers who felt the lack of a unified voice hampered legislation for children and families. NH CAN focuses its efforts on building consensus among organizations that serve children and families to identify priorities for governmental policy, budgets, and legislation as well as inspire community action to drive those processes.

Individual and organizational members of NH CAN believe that:

Children do well when families do well, and families do well when assured adequate opportunity and resources. Individuals, families, communities, government and the private sector have a shared responsibility to assure child well-being. Investing New Hampshire resources into children's well-being is essential to the future of our state. Every child in New Hampshire should have the opportunity to thrive.

Each year NH CAN promotes and tracks approximately 20 pieces of legislation that are in keeping with the beliefs and priorities listed above. According to the Legislative Report Card published in 2007 by the NH Children's Alliance, Sen. Maggie Wood Hassan received a score of 100 percent and Representative Quandt received a 66 percent. A three-year average (2005, 2006, and 2007) for Sen. Hassan was 100 percent while Rep. Quandt's was 29 percent having received a 0 percent for 2006. The Granite News Service has analyzed and published the 2008 Legislative Report Card and the results are in with Sen. Hassan scoring 90.48 percent and Rep. Quandt scoring 33.33 percent. To check out NH CAN and specific priorities over the past several years please go to www.childrennh.org.

I hope this November your readers will consider supporting the candidate that has supported their children and families every step of the way. Sen. Maggie Wood Hassan is the best choice for all our families ...; it is that simple.

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